Top Films For July

Keira Knightley stars as an English singer/songwriter who no longer wants to live in New York as she has split from her unfaithful boyfriend (Maroon 5’s Adam Levine in his movie debut). The night before she flies home, she is forced to sing at an open mic, where music producer Mark Ruffalo happens to be. I have seen this – It is a wonderful, feel-good film with a great soundtrack. The review will be coming shortly. Released: 11th July

BOYHOOD

This looks incredible. Director and writer Richard Linklater shot this over 12 years using the same cast. Beginning in 2002, it follows a boy growing up with divorced parents. It is just a unique way of showing him evolving from a boy into a man. Reviews from its rounds on the Festival circuit have been impressive too. Released: 11th July

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

I really liked Rise of the Planet of the Apes so I have to see how this continues. This begins 10 years later, after the virus was released and it has wiped out most of civilization, which is at war with the intelligent apes, lead by Caesar (Andy Serkis). It is a shame that neither James Franco or Freida Pinto returned for this but we have the lovely Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke (above) and Keri Russell as leads instead. Released: 17th July

EARTH TO ECHO

This looks like a cute family film in the vein of E.T. A group of four friends find an alien and help it return home. That does not sound particularly original but the reviews have been positive and the found footage style will give it a modern update. Released: 25th July

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

The next instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unlikely superhero lead Chris Pratt stars as Peter Quill, who finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan. To hide from Ronan, he must team up with a group of misfits including a green alien, a humanoid and a talking racoon. Weird, but hey, it’s Marvel and it needs to be seen! Released: 31st July